European Champions Spain Frustrated By Serbia In Goalless Nations League Start

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Spain's first match as European Champions ended in frustration with a goalless draw against Serbia in Belgrade. Despite dominating possession, Luis de la Fuente's team couldn't break through Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic. Lamine Yamal had two close attempts in the second half but failed to score.

Serbia, playing in the top tier of the Nations League for the first time after their promotion two years ago, started strong. They nearly took the lead at 34 minutes when Andrija Zivkovic set up Luka Jovic, who missed a clear chance against David Raya. This solid defence kept Spain at bay throughout the match.

Dani Carvajal tried to increase Spain's pressure after halftime, but Serbia's defence held firm. Rajkovic made a crucial save from Alejandro Grimaldo's free-kick aimed at the top-right corner. Moments later, Yamal narrowly missed another opportunity.

Yamal had one final chance with 15 minutes left, weaving into the area and shooting goalwards, only for Rajkovic to save again. Spain created numerous chances but couldn't convert any into goals. This result halted their nine-match winning streak, including an extra-time victory over Germany at Euro 2024.

Data Insights: Spain vs Serbia

On Thursday, every Spanish outfield player except Ayoze Perez created at least one chance. Despite this, Spain will be disappointed with their expected goals (xG) figure of 1.37 from 21 shots compared to Serbia's 1.16 from just eight shots. Their patient build-up play lacked penetration.

This match highlighted Spain's struggle to convert possession into goals despite their dominance on the field. The team's inability to score ensured that Serbia secured a valuable point in their Nations League Group A4 campaign.

The game showcased Serbia's resilience and defensive organisation against a formidable Spanish side. Both teams will look to improve in their upcoming matches as they aim for success in this competition.